In 2023, which position groups and players will Oklahoma face that are the best?
The Oklahoma Sooners’ schedule for 2023 is far from ideal. There aren’t many games that make a difference after Georgia Bulldogs canceled their game.
The most gifted players at each position would probably be found in Georgia. The loss of the national champion in back-to-back years definitely undermines Oklahoma’s schedule strength.
However, the Sooners still have to play against talented teams like the TCU Horned Frogs and the Texas Longhorns. This year, some talented players will also be joining the Big 12.
Which players should Oklahomans be on the lookout for, and which position groups might pose the biggest challenges for the Sooners coming into the season?
Let’s examine the top player or group of players the Sooners will face in 2023.
Although it was only one strong season—really, just one strong half of a season—I still have faith in Jalon Daniels.
Daniels won preseason offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference selection, turning heads among the Big 12 media.
Daniels led the Kansas Jayhawks to their first bowl game since 2008 during an outstanding season. He threw four interceptions and completed 66% of his passes for eighteen touchdowns in 2022.
He scored seven touchdowns on 425 yards of running. The Sooners were fortunate to avoid playing the dark horse Heisman candidate; otherwise, they might not have had the same level of success.
Neal was really good last year, and I know that people will think I’m crazy when they see two Kansas players. Neal averaged 6.1 yards per try, good for over 1,000 yards. He added nine touchdowns as well.
Apart from his impressive 2022 campaign, the Big 12 experienced a lot of turnover at the position. By 2023, Neal might be the best back in the Big 12.
The best wide receiver returning for the Big 12 this season is without a doubt Xavier Worthy. The junior possesses exceptional speed and agility. He is an abomination to defenses. Remember how charismatic he was during the Red River Rivalry game in 2021?
He’s very good at establishing distance. But Worthy had trouble with drops in 2022.
Texas needs its star wide receiver to have a breakthrough season if it hopes to achieve all of its preseason goals. He will probably be a top 50 pick in the NFL after this season.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, like Worthy, is the Big 12’s best returning player at his position by a wide margin. One could argue that Sanders is the best in the country even if Brock Bowers of Georgia didn’t exist.
Having accumulated over 600 yards and five touchdowns in the previous season, he intends to contribute even more to the Texas offense in 2023.
This one was difficult. A year ago, the UCF Knights boasted one of the best run-blocking squads in the country. The offensive lineman for BYU may be the best in the country.
But the Longhorns as a whole are the team. I am aware that they placed 73rd in the country a year ago. That being said, the team was very young and returns all five starters from the previous season.
